Technical Services Manager

Job summary

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading significant transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme. We are also delivering cost-effective property services such as asset management, lifecycle replacement and workplace services.

Innovation and progress underpin our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. Our four core values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture and guide how we work, lead and grow together:

• Striving for excellence - We always aim to deliver great results
• Empowering through respect - We insist on fair treatment for all, always
• Acting with integrity - We consistently do the right thing
• Succeeding together - We rely on each other to achieve success

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.

To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.

We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

Job description

The role ensures strategic alignment between the Whitehall Systems, the central Government / GPA Estate and its interdepartmental agreements, assets and advice on infrastructure investment opportunities so as to maximise income streams and asset values.

The Technical Services Manager (TSM) provides subject matter expertise for mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) engineering across GPA Workplace Services hard services FM, O&M contracts and projects. This role also provides the required technical and contract management support for Whitehall systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong electrical engineering background.

Whitehall Systems comprises centralised standby power generation, district heating systems, and a multi-year decarbonisation strategy aimed at achieving the GPAs net zero objectives.

The TSM role is part of the Workplace Services Deliver team responsible for successfully planning, managing, executing, completing and handover of a range of MEP projects and providing technical support and assurance of the GPAs hard FM services contract.

60% of the RDEL associated with FM contracts is proportioned to hard services MEP delivery, the TSM provides technical assurance of the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) activities of the hard services delivery, ensuring PPMs adheres to the correct technical and legislative standards.

The TSM provides technical advice and assurance to Life Cycle Replacement (LCR) and Net-Zero integrated project delivery teams, at key project stages.

The TSM will provide technical and contract management support to the Whitehall Systems team and provide the necessary technical knowledge to support the systems operations.

This role is primarily an engineering position (electrical bias).

This role is now vacant due to the previous post holder obtaining a new position within the GPA

The post holder is critical to providing technical support, business continuity and required assurance of the WSTP hard FM services contract and Operational and maintenance contract associated with Whitehall systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Head of Critical Environments & Technical Services, the Technical Services Manager will be responsible for:

• Assurance of all GPA standards and guidance relating to MEP hard services contracts and projects; staying ahead of changes in legislation and guidance and incorporating these standards.
• Auditing Hard Services planned preventative maintenance (PPM) activities conducted by GPA’s strategic FM partners to ensure statutory compliance.
• Managing and assuring Life Cycle Replacement (LCR) projects.
• Briefing the Head of Critical Environments & Technical Services on delivery status for each building systems work package, ensuring alignment with the wider programme objectives.
• Providing mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) advice and assurance to integrated project delivery teams at key project stages.
• Coordinating and collaborating with stakeholders and other teams to ensure Hard FM service and LCR projects are assured, and life-cycle costs are assessed as part of design management.
• Providing subject-matter expertise for mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) engineering across GPA Workplace Services Delivery projects.
• Contract management responsibilities associated with Whitehall Systems O&M contract.

Person specification

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and aim to build a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice, and we champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, with the aim of creating a sense of belonging where everyone feels valued.

The ideal candidate will have a strong Electrical Engineering background within building services engineering or hard FM services, bringing extensive engineering experience, including, but not limited to, building services engineering, hard FM services and contract management.

Experience & Technical Skills

Essential criteria:

• Comprehensive experience and understanding of electrical services (low-voltage (LV), high-voltage (HV) distribution, standby generation), and compliance and interfaces within the built environment. OR. Comprehensive experience and understanding of mechanical services (HVAC, public health) and compliance and interfaces within the built environment.
• Familiarity with design & build (D&B), operational and maintenance (O&M) principles and have experience of D&B and O&M project assurance and contract management governance.
• Awareness of relevant standards and regulatory frameworks (e.g., electrical safety codes, health and safety legislation, CDM).
• Knowledge and understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Government Soft landing principles.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in an engineering, hard FM property maintenance or construction-based role.
• Background of working in or with the public sector property.
• Extensive building services (and or) hard FM experience, with a proven track record of delivering a quality service.
• Demonstrated contract management experience, including oversight of supplier performance, service delivery, and cost control.
• Experience delivering Life Cycle Replacement (LCR) projects and integrating lifecycle costs into design and delivery.

Qualifications and Accreditations

Essential criteria:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or Building Services Engineering; professional registration with a recognised body (e.g., IET, CIBSE, IMechE).

Desirable criteria:

• Chartered status (CEng) in an Engineering / building services related discipline.

Qualifications

Degree in Electrical Engineering or Building Services Engineering; professional registration with a recognised body (e.g., IET, CIBSE, IMechE).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Customer Perspective
• Commercial Acumen
• Property Market Knowledge
• Innovation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,500, Government Property Agency contributes £16,368 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Generous annual leave

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities and wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and well-being and aim to create a sense of belonging in a workplace where everyone feels valued. The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme (RIS) to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Please note - At this time GPA are unable to offer any Visa Sponsorship to candidates as we do not currently hold a visa sponsorship licence. Please do not apply for permanent roles with GPA if you will require your employer to take on the sponsorship of your current or any future visas.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Sift

The sift is due to take place week commencing 9th February 2026.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to include a CV and a 750-word personal statement.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The personal statement should then align with the person specification.

Interview

GPA policy is for interviews to be held face to face, with virtual interviews only by absolute exception. The date and location will be confirmed if you are invited to interview. If you feel this will be a problem for you, please contact recruitment@gpa.gov.uk to discuss prior to submitting your application.

At interview, applicants will be scored against 5 behaviours - Managing a Quality Service, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others, and Delivering at Pace.

Interview questions will be a blend of Behaviour, Experience, and Technical (core skill) questions.

Further information

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to GPA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via GPArecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Marc Routledge
• Email : marc.routledge@gpa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : gparecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact HR@gpa.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission:
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission

Attachments

GPA Skills and Specialisms Opens in new window (pdf, 259kB)